[Mpls] District media release on teacher realignment

[Michael Atherton]

Dan McGuire wrote:

> 4600 divided by 608 = 7.57
> 
> If  there is going to be 4600 less students, at 25 students 
> per teacher, 184 less teachers would be  needed.  Maybe Doug 
> Mann has a point. Maybe the distict is laying off more teachers 
> than necessary.

Not that I'm much interested in defending the District, but 
a convoluted union contract necessities convoluted management
policies.  In general, it's often better to layoff more
employees if keeping them would require carrying them for
a year (especially when you can always call them up after
letting them go).  If you read the exit interview with
Mr. Jennings you'll see that he was very honest about 
his impact on student achievement.  The District is not 
working on reform, they're just trying to keep afloat.  
I don't think they have any long term vision at all, they
are just casting about in the dark for a life preserver.

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park